Wills, Probate and Estate Planning

We cannot over-emphasise how important it is for everyone to make a Will. A properly prepared Will ensures that your assets are left to those people whom you wish to see benefit from your Estate on your death. It can also be an important means of tax planning to help reduce any potential Inheritance Tax on your death. Without a Will your estate will pass in accordance with the Rules of Intestacy which dictates the order of persons entitled to benefit from your estate, which may not be in accordance with your wishes.

At R M Cullen & Son we recognise the importance our clients attach to providing financial security for themselves and their families. We have years of experience in advising and drafting Wills and can help with your concerns and offer guidance specific to your personal wishes and circumstances.

Probate is the term used to describe the administration of an Estate when a person has died. We are here to support and guide the appointed Executor (or Personal Representative in the case of Intestacy) deal with all the assets and liabilities in the Estate. This includes preparing the relevant Inheritance Tax Returns to be submitted to HM Revenue and Customs, obtaining the appropriate Grant from the Chancery Court, settling the funeral account and dealing with the various financial institutions to realise the assets in the Estate. This is usually a very difficult time for the Executor or Personal Representative who quite often is a close relative of the Deceased person and it is always a great relief to know that the administrative burden on them can be handed over to us to be dealt with sympathetically and professionally.

Enduring Powers of Attorney

We act for an ever growing number of clients who want to enter into an Enduring Power of Attorney. An Enduring Power of Attorney allows someone you have chosen to make decisions about your property and financial affairs when you become incapable of managing yourself through illness or mental incapacity.

We also routinely deal with applications to the Office of Care and Protection to appoint Controllers where a person does not have an Enduring Power of Attorney in place before losing the capacity to look after their own affairs.